Platinum-Free Ternary Metallic Selenides as Nanostructured Counter Electrode for High-Efficiency Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell by Interface Engineering

Abstract

The high cost and instability of platinum (Pt) counter electrodes (CEs) are two persistent issues in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Here, ternary selenide NiCoSe and RuCoSe-nanostructured CEs are prepared by a simple one-step hydrothermal method. We mainly investigate the synergistic effect of ternary transition metals on the electrocatalytic properties. As a result, the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of NiCoSe CEs DSSCs with the enhanced efficiency up to 8.19% can be achieved. The excellent catalytic properties of the NiCoSe alloy selenide on I 3 − can be attributed to the expanded active sites, matched work function, redistributed electron structures, and reduced interface resistance. The facile preparation approach and outstanding catalytic behaviors offer applications of available DSSCs with low cost, superior stability, and promising performance.

Strategic Design of a Bifunctional NiFeCoW@NC Hybrid to Replace the Noble Platinum for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells and Hydrogen Evolution Reactions

“…Tafel polarization measurements were further conducted to characterize the electrocatalytic activity of various electrodes. As shown in Figure a and Figure S38, the limiting diffusion current density ( J lim ) and the exchange current density ( J 0 ) positively correlated with the diffusion rates of the I 3 – /I – redox couple and electrocatalytic activity of CE, respectively, can be obtained from the cathodic branch of Tafel curves . By calculations, the obtained data are summarized in Table and Table S1.…”

“…As shown in Figure 6a and Figure S38, the limiting diffusion current density (J lim ) and the exchange current density (J 0 ) positively correlated with the diffusion rates of the I 3 − /I − redox couple and electrocatalytic activity of CE, respectively, can be obtained from the cathodic branch of Tafel curves. 62 By calculations, the obtained data are summarized in Table 1 and Table S1. The NiFeCoW@NC displays the highest J lim with the value of −1.34 Log (mA cm −2 ), much higher than that of p-NiFeCoW@NC (−1.49 Log (mA cm −2 )), NiFe@NC (−1.53 Log (mA cm −2 )), CoW@NC (−1.51 Log (mA cm −2 )), NC (−4.25 Log (mA cm −2 )), and Pt (−1.57 Log (mA cm −2 )), demonstrating the faster ion diffusion rate than other CEs.…”

Engineering Chemical Vapor Deposition for Lead‐Free Perovskite‐Inspired MA3Bi2I9 Self‐Powered Photodetectors with High Performance and Stability

“…[ 46–50 ] The cutting‐edge stability of 2T‐CVD photodetectors may be traced to the uniform, compact and smooth films produced with the 2T‐CVD approach, consistent with our previous findings from lead‐halide perovskite devices. [ 23,24,33,56–61 ] In fact, grain boundaries in polycrystalline films have often been linked to the degradation of perovskite/perovskite‐inspired materials in a humid environment. This is because grain boundaries (as opposed to crystalline regions) may favor the entry of water molecules into the films.…”

Efficient NiO Impregnated Walnut Shell-Derived Carbon for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…6 Therefore, over the past two decades, research on DSSCs has bloomed into a race to develop efficient catalytic materials as Pt-free CEs for DSSCs. 1 As Pt-free CEs, a range of materials, including conducting polymers, 7 transition metals, 8 and carbon-based compounds have been used as Pt-free CEs. 9,10 Due to their large availability, chemical stability, and considerable catalytic activity, metal oxides have shown promise as effective Pt-free CEs.…”

“…Therefore, over the past two decades, research on DSSCs has bloomed into a race to develop efficient catalytic materials as Pt-free CEs for DSSCs . As Pt-free CEs, a range of materials, including conducting polymers, transition metals, and carbon-based compounds have been used as Pt-free CEs. , Due to their large availability, chemical stability, and considerable catalytic activity, metal oxides have shown promise as effective Pt-free CEs. , P-type nickel oxide (NiO) is a well-known metal oxide that is commonly used as a catalyst in chemical and petrochemical operations . Because of its broad gap (3.6 eV) and strong ionization potential, NiO was used in producing photosensitizers .…”